Between 1961 and 1980, big-rig semi-tractor and farm-implement maker Worldwide Harvester constructed a tidy, rugged, succesful off-road SUV referred to as Scout. The Scout competed for gross sales with autos from Chevrolet, Ford, and Jeep, however preceded all of them to market. Respectively, the Blazer arrived for 1969, the Bronco for 1966, and the Wagoneer for 1963. The Scout by no means bought in particularly huge numbers, however served nicely Harvester’s core agricultural clientele, most of whom probably appreciated the Scout’s trim footprint and go-anywhere 4WD.
2027 Scouts
Historical past
Later, then often called the Scout II, the scrappy Harvester loved the advertising push of a severe advert marketing campaign for 1979 and 1980, together with the introduction of a Nissan-supplied diesel engine, however gross sales by no means reached hoped-for ranges. Harvester deserted the Scout after that, having already ended gross sales of a rugged however slow-selling pickup truck in 1975. Thought appreciated by a distinct segment viewers of classic-truck aficionados, the Scout by no means loved the identical love as did classic Ford Broncos.
Time handed, and Worldwide Harvester turned Navistar, and in July of 2021, Navistar was acquired by the Volkswagen Group, and have become a part of the German maker’s huge Traton commercial-truck operation. For these not within the know, Traton’s holdings embrace such makers as Scania AB (as soon as a part of Saab), Man (busses and massive rigs), and, after all, Worldwide. Although owned by VW, Navistar maintains its headquarters in suburban Chicago, and continues to construct fashionable Worldwide-brand business vehicles.
New Scouts
Quick ahead to at present: Volkswagen company sorts, trying to develop a brand new, electric-truck-only model particularly for the U.S. market, realized it had advertising gold in its model portfolio within the type of the Scout title, which it acquired as a part of the Navistar deal.
The all-new Scout model, which isn’t a division of Volkswagen, however a completely owned subsidiary (we’ll discuss why that distinction is necessary in a second), revealed this week—in idea kind– it’s two preliminary merchandise, the Traveler SUV and Terra pickup truck. Be aware that Traveler and Tera had been variations of the unique Scout.
Scouts Will probably be Electrical
The Scout people had been sparse with data, however we all know a pair issues. First, along with the electrical drivetrain at all times supposed for these autos, Scout can even supply an extended-range variant, about which we all know little. Nonetheless, extended-range variations of both Scout will function a gasoline engine that may present electrical energy ought to the Traveler’s or Terra’s batteries absolutely deplete.
Measurement and Class
The 4-door Traveler crossover idea is 208 inches lengthy, considerably longer than a Ford Explorer (199 inches), closing in on the full-size Ford Expedition (210 inches.)
Likewise, the Terra pickup truck idea is 229 inches lengthy, simply shy of a Ford short-bed F-150 crew-cab. Appears that Volkswagen can be attempting to crack the full-size truck market simply after Nissan discontinued the Titan. In fact, the Titan was not electrical.
Cabin
Each vehicles function a charmingly reimagined Seventies/Eighties-era cabin, in addition to a Scout brand true to the unique.
Be aware that the Scout loved a pair many years of on-again/off-again promoting assist. You may try a few of these traditional journal ads
And about Scout being a subsidiary…
Scout Motors
Volkswagen intends to market Scout vehicles by way of a direct-to-consumer mannequin, thus sidestepping the normal franchise-dealership mannequin. This issues for a few causes. First, Volkswagen sellers will definitely see this association as a betrayal of their franchise agreements with VW, although their declare on the Scout model is tenuous. Audi and Porsche, additionally VW division may make the identical declare.
However, extra importantly, Volkswagen’s U.S. operation has for years been petitioning the house workplace for a pickup truck to promote within the U.S. And whereas Volkswagen appears to agree that the time is correct to promote a pickup Stateside, it gained’t achieve this by way of the VW community.
Dealerships
Be aware that Scout will set up a community of “retail areas” all through the U.S., although count on the overall rely of shops to be comparatively low, and, at the least initially, situated close to EV-friend cities. Per Scout, the brand new vehicles be produced in South Carolina, with the primary autos rolling off the road in 2026 as 2027 fashions.
Enjoyable Reality: Swiss bespoke luxurious carmaker Monteverdi constructed a limited-production SUV referred to as the Safari utilizing the chassis of the Scout. You may examine that very-rare truck right here.
CG Says
We very enthusiastic about Scout Motors, and it’s seemingly market-savvy strategy to retailing electrical autos. Volkswagen has struggled to maneuver electrical merchandise, however this America-specific, legacy-themed effort feels strong. That mentioned, solely Toyota has ever cracked the full-size-pickup code within the U.S., although we’re cautiously optimistic VW in on the proper path.
Including and extended-range powertrain choices to the vehicles was a last-minute add by the Scout people, however the function, moderately priced, could also be sufficient to being EV averse people into the model.
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2027 Scouts
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